Nilofar no longer a cyclone, becomes deep depression

Fizzles out even before reaching Gujarat coast, weakens about 480 km away from Naliya in Kutch

Cyclone Nilofar has fizzled out even before reaching the Gujarat coast as it weakened into a deep depression as it lay about 480 km away from Naliya in Kutch Friday morning. Though it is moving towards Gujarat coast, it is expected to weaken further into a well marked low pressure over the northeast Arabian sea by today evening.

This means that the system is less likely to make a landfall, neither in Gujarat nor in Pakistan, and may die out in the Arabian sea itself. However, under its influence moderate rainfall is likely at most places with isolated heavy falls in Kutch and coastal districts of Saurashtra during next 24 hours. Light to moderate rainfall at may occur at many places over remaining districts of Saurashtra, north Gujarat region and southwest Rajasthan during the same period.

With the weather to remain squally with wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph the fishermen in coastal areas of Gujarat have been asked not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclone Nilofer which started out as a very severe cyclonic storm Thursday morning has weakened number of levels and is now mere a deep depression about 480 km southwest of Naliya (Gujarat) and 510 km south-southwest of Karachi (Pakistan).